A row of Lime bikes dumped in Euston Road [Simon Lamrock]

THE Town Hall expects to pocket more than £1million from its deal with two e-bike firms – deals that were agreed before a scrutiny committee could question the company’s bosses.

Lime Bike and Human Forest have each agreed to pay at least £429,000 to the Town Hall over the course of the two-year arrangement.

But the income from the deal will rise significantly the more e-bikes are used – although the council said the precise figures behind its agreements were “commercially confidential”.

The contracts have been penned amid controversy over how users are dumping the bikes recklessly across roads and pavements, providing obstacles for the elderly, blind and disabled.

Camden’s environment chief Labour Cllr Adam Harrison said this week: “This contract gives us the legal powers we need to act against dockless hire firms if they do not meet our high standards of parking compliance.

“This will help us control the numbers of bikes in the borough, ensure that bikes are parked in bays, and make sure that operators swiftly remove any that are blocking the pavement.

“Through the contract, we can also ensure that operators fine people who do not park properly and ban persistent offenders.”

The council has also announced a plan to massively expand the number of e-bike bays up from 200 to 300, by 2025. Lime and Human Forest insist they are introducing new tech that will stop the e-bikes being left all over the place and a more rigorous checking system on parking run by an algorithm instead of human staff.

But the claims will be meaningless to many residents who are furious with the council for rewarding e-bike companies after months of complaints.

Labour councillor Awale Olad, who chairs the scrutiny committee which looked into the contracts last week, said this week that he did not believe either e-bike company had “any interest in complying with the rules”.

He had called Lime to explain its operation to committee last week but after an hour of questioning, a council officer suddenly said the contract had already been signed, rendering any of the panel’s comments and recommendations toothless.

Lime has also sent representatives into schools warning children that anyone found “hacking” bikes will have criminal record.

Hal Stevenson, senior public affairs manager at Lime, said: “We are advocates for the introduction of more dedicated parking bays, and will work with the Council to help identify new locations. Our enforcement processes, fining model and improved rider educationwill help ensure riders can continue to end their journey in a safe and respectful way.”

HumanForest head of operations Will Jansen said: “We have worked with the council to ensure that it is not possible, within the HumanForest app, for a user to park outside of allocated spaces. We have no doubt that this will improve the overall success of the shared schemes in Camden.

“We look forward to creating a shared eBike system that works for everyone, London-wide.”